Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

SUSAN NICHOLAS

Summit,NJ

Summary

Versatile business leader bringing over 20 years of experience as at the CEO/President level. Strategic problem solver, change manager and visionary executive with success implementing plans to meet current and future needs. Key expertise in Luxury and image-driven businesses.

Overview

38
38
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

President

Sidney Garber
01.2014 - 01.2023
  • Recruited as the first President of Sidney Garber
  • Led the transformation of a single jewelry store (founded in Chicago in 1946) to a omni-channel, nationally known, and highly sought after “Maison” competing with the very top tier of prestige and specialty players in the jewelry industry
  • Consistently delivered on company’s charitable mission through substantial giving each year to children’s mental health and the arts
  • Reported to the Owner /Creative Director
  • Recruited, mentored, and retained a high-performing team across all disciplines including Finance, Retail Sales, Wholesale Sales, Marketing, Merchandising, Operations, Product Development, E-Commerce
  • Initiated strategic branding activities and sustained investments in brand, social, and performance marketing to develop and hone a compelling, and differentiating brand point of view
  • Led in-studio and in-house photoshoots, creating on-model and still-life assets
  • Opened a Madison Ave Flagship in Fall 2014
  • Inaugurated rigorous sales performance program, disciplined CRM planning/ KPI tracking for both NYC and Chicago boutiques
  • Developed a very exclusive partner account roster
  • When Barney’s New York entered bankruptcy in 2019 (Barney’s had represented 75% of the wholesale channel), a network of new accounts was opened during the pandemic, and replaced the Barney’s business within a year
  • Maintained strong financial bandwidth to develop and invest in over 100 new products each year without productivity constraints or quality trade-offs
  • Developed new website, launched an E-Commerce division, and drove on-line sales via high-touch e-concierge approach and investment in digital media
  • Overhauled financial controls, implemented planning/forecasting, cash management, launched an integrated ERP system, created HR systems for comp/benefit, recruitments, employee handbook
  • Handled all legal and real estate issues with in-house and external resources
  • Led the company through the 2020 pandemic shutdown and re-opening, with no lay-offs, and a catch-up in charitable giving along with full recovery to pre-pandemic sales levels.

CEO/Founder

Métier & Muse
01.2012 - 01.2014
  • Provided strategic branding to launch and transform businesses
  • Coached C-Suite executives: Principal, Taft and Partners: led efforts to conceptualize, brand, and launch new communications division Sr Consultant/ICF ACC Executive Coach: coached high potential, C-Suite execs for global companies WKI: explain this assignment (a go to market/feasibility)

CEO North America

H. STERN JEWELERS
01.2009 - 01.2012
  • Led the North American subsidiary, comprised of four operating entities in the US, Canada, Caribbean, Panama, along with Cruise Ships for H
  • Stern, the worlds 4th largest jeweler headquartered in Rio De Janeiro
  • Drove double digit sales growth and turned around unprofitable operation after decades of loss
  • Upgraded partnerships with Neiman Marcus and Saks, resulting in greater financial commitment, higher productivity and increased sell-through
  • Recruited an improved executive team, including CFO, Sales Director, Marketing and PR Directors.

CEO, President, and Board Member

BULTHAUP CORPORATION
01.2002 - 01.2007
  • Led U.S
  • And Canadian operations of bespoke home furnishings company with distribution via retail, independent dealer network and large-scale, multi-unit commercial projects
  • Drove revenue growth and turnaround of loss P&L to double digit net income
  • Recruited high-performing executive team; re-profiled Store Manager role and comp
  • Renovated all company-owned stores to align with new product and brand platforms
  • Established a Commercial Sales infrastructure as a reference for global projects
  • Landed high-profile Philip Johnson’s Urban Glass House and the Mandarin Oriental Dallas.

CEO

LVMH WATCH & JEWELRY North America
01.2000 - 01.2002
  • Promoted to lead newly created Watch & Jewelry division, after acquisition of TAG Heuer, along with Chaumet, Zenith and Omas businesses
  • LVMH Accomplishments: Integrated and launched four businesses in 18 months while maintaining TAG Heuer brand leadership position (#2 behind Rolex)
  • Surpassed Japan to make the U.S
  • LVMH’s largest watch & jewelry market, representing 30% of worldwide sales
  • Established cost-saving matrix organization structure by creating a Shared Service Center and dedicated sales/marketing teams, and planned the integration of Ebel, a $30MM subsidiary
  • TAG HEUER Accomplishments: Transformed the business from a ‘professional sports watch’ to the ‘prestigious sports watch,’ citing Anna Wintour, “It has become like the rebirth of Gucci or Prada”
  • Repositioned and upgraded wholesale brand distribution channels with an increase in average price point of over 30%
  • Initiated an industry-first anti-discounting program
  • Developed visual merchandising, celebrity alignment, disruptive advertising/media, and significant PR activities; negotiated endorsements by Grant Hill and Marian Jones
  • Conceptualized and led Kirium introduction through the creation of widely acclaimed Herb Ritts photo exhibit of thirteen Olympians posing nude; launch generated 67MM media impressions
  • Established Canadian subsidiary, reducing agent distribution by 50% while increasing sales.

Executive Vice President

Desgrippes Gobe (Cato Gobe)
01.1992 - 01.1995
  • Directed Marketing, Account Management, and New Business Development for US office of top-ten design consultancy, specializing in packaging, branding, retail, and product design
  • Set strategy, interfaced with Design teams in Paris, London and Tokyo, to transform identities of major brands including Sprite, Gillette, Ann Taylor, Coach, Bath & Body Works.

Senior Marketing Manager

Campbell Soup ComPANY
01.1991 - 01.1992

Product Director

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products
01.1985 - 01.1991

Education

MBA -

THE WHARTON SCHOOL, University of Pennsylvania
01.1985

BA - French

DOUGLASS COLLEGE, Rutgers University
01.1980

Skills

  • Revenue Growth
  • Operations Oversight
  • Financial Management
  • Staff Management
  • Talent Recruitment
  • Business Planning
  • Change Management
  • Executive Performance Management
  • Business Development
  • Strategic Planning
  • Marketing Expertise
  • Operational Excellence
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Organizational Leadership

Certification

ICF ACC level Certified Executive Coach

Languages

French
Full Professional

Timeline

President

Sidney Garber
01.2014 - 01.2023

CEO/Founder

Métier & Muse
01.2012 - 01.2014

CEO North America

H. STERN JEWELERS
01.2009 - 01.2012

CEO, President, and Board Member

BULTHAUP CORPORATION
01.2002 - 01.2007

CEO

LVMH WATCH & JEWELRY North America
01.2000 - 01.2002

Executive Vice President

Desgrippes Gobe (Cato Gobe)
01.1992 - 01.1995

Senior Marketing Manager

Campbell Soup ComPANY
01.1991 - 01.1992

Product Director

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products
01.1985 - 01.1991

MBA -

THE WHARTON SCHOOL, University of Pennsylvania

BA - French

DOUGLASS COLLEGE, Rutgers University

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